variable speed radial arm saw

[bob winter]

I am a great fan of radial arm saws, I find them much more accurate than a chop saw and better for crosscutting than a table saw. Ripping, of course is a different story. Anyway, I was wondering if anybody manufactures a variable speed model. I did a google search and discoverd that such a beast was made but found very few hits. Any information will be appreciated. Variable speed is not needed for sawing but a radial arm will do more than saw and the variable speed feature might be handy for those operations.

[htom]

They can be great tools. For variable speed, though, I think you're going to have to look at old used professional models, the 16" and 20", and even there I suspect that the variable speed is going to be on power feed (pulling the saw through a cross-cut) and not actual blade speed. I remember changing blade sizes to slow down the tip speed on a 16" Delta. There might have been some, though, I thought of them as things to use, not to buy, then.

[Ron Williamson]

If you can snag a cheap 3 phase 208v model,you can add a Variable Frequency Drive(VFD) that uses a single phase(regular 220v) input.
Look on owwm.com for more insight.
R

[AstoriaDave]

VFD Drive is very sweet. My bro restored a classic lathe and converted it to VFD, Tons of torque, even when at low speed. Nothing finer, for most turning operations -- next is my drill press, he says.

[JimConlin]

The business of reconfiguring a radial arm saw for other operations was almost as impractical as a Shopsmith.

[Captain Blight]

Jeez. I've got a '52 or '53 DeWalt GA ("Professor McGiggles"), and it needs every bit of its oomph most of the time.

It's a fantastic tool but is quite rightly scares the p!$$ out of me. I'd invest the time into a Mr Sawdust table and think about hold-downs before I'd think about variable speed.

[Stan D]

Originally Posted by JimConlin

The business of reconfiguring a radial arm saw for other operations was almost as impractical as a Shopsmith.

Sounds like you've had some experience, but at which? Reconfiguring a radial arm saw, or using a Shopsmith?

[katiedobe]

Shopsmith still has a website and sells it's stuff. Quietly I think. I thought they went out of business. http://www.shopsmith.com/

They even sell a 12" stand alone planer for $1,449. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/planers.htm

How do they do it?

[Stan D]

They have a following. A guy I know has a couple.

[JimConlin]

Originally Posted by Stan D

They have a following. A guy I know has a couple.

Having more than one is one way to avoid the hassle of changing setups.

[Paul Girouard]

Originally Posted by JimConlin

Having more than one is one way to avoid the hassle of changing setups.

Wouldn't that sort of defeat the purpose of a multi -tool like a Shop Smith?

Well, IF there ever was a purpose for a Shop Smith

Or a radial arm saw for that matter , let alone a variable speed one.

[ishmael]

Hm. Never heard of a variable speed one. In the shops I worked we usually used them for rough cuts to length. I know they are capable of much more, but not as easily manipulable as a table saw for most of it.

[Torna]

Bob, I'm curious as to why/how you find a RAS more accurate than a chop saw - or presumably sliding miter saw?

But as for varaible speed - a lot depends upon what kind of motor your saw has.
If it has a "universal" motor (has brushes, screams like a skilsaw, vacuum cleaner &c) then it can be made varable speed with a hardware store light dimmer. Just make sure that the light dimmer is rated for the max current draw of the motor.
If it has an induction motor (1725 or 3450 RPM, quiet like a drill press) then it is much harder: 3-phase with VFD as mentioned above. Do not put a standard light dimmer on an induction motor.

When in doubt err on the side of caution
-leif

[bob winter]

Torna, I wouldn't necessarily say that a chop saw or a sliding miter saw can't be as accurate as a RAS, I have a SMS as well as a RAS and the SMS can be set up accurately, especially if it is built into the workbench with a fence, etc. I guess the thing I don't like with a chop saw or a SMS is the chopping motion as opposed to the sliding motion of the RAS. I also find that the RAS provides better support for the workpiece and the cut is less prone to tearout. In addition, I can tell precisely where the cut will be on the RAS by looking at the fence and I find that a lot harder to do with a SMS.

I was wondering about variable speed for drilling, which about the only thing you might find it useful for. A RAS can be a good tool for horizontal drilling.